King’s Plate winner PARAMOUNT PRINCE (Society’s Chairman) and runner-up ELYSIAN FIELD (Hard Spun) are likely headed to the second jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes on September 12 at Fort Erie Race Track. The Wales is at 1 3/16 miles on the dirt.
“I wouldn’t want to make a commitment too soon,” said trainer Mark Casse on Monday morning. “But right now I would say that both will likely run. I also have STAYHONOR GOODSIDE for the Wales, I kept him out of the Plate.”
Casse has won four Prince of Wales Stakes with the most recent being the 2018 edition with his and Gary Barber’s and Patrick Husbands’ second Plate winner, WONDER GADOT.
Casse told Canadian Thoroughbred that Paramount Prince “really grew up” in Florida from age two to three. “I was a little disappointed in his first two races but the key with him is to get him into a rhythm and when he sprints he is not really in his rhythm.”
He also noted that Elysian Field, owned by Barber and Team Valor International, ran well enough that if they ran the race a few times “the positions might have been swapped.”
Casse and Barber were both in town for the big day of racing.
“It was great to see how upbeat everyone was at Woodbine. Gary is a big fan of Woodbine and everyone knows there is no better place around to race and train horses. I have [Beverly D Stakes (GI) winner] Fev Rover coming up for the Canadian Stakes (G) and Ice Chocolat for the Woodbine Mile (G1).”
Casse also said it was super that the Plate was won by an Ontario-sired horse, one who was bought privately for $21,000 at the sale in 2921 by Mike Langlois on the advice of trainer Jamie Attard.
“Isn’t that great? Society’s Chairman is a good sire. And it’s great for the Ontario-sired program, as it can be tough for them to have to go against some tough horses in some races.”
There is a half-brother in the sale on August 30 to the Plate winner.
“We are going to be more active in the Woodbine sale this year. With all the new things going on at Woodbine and the bet365 deal, great things are happening.”
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STANLEY HOUSE emerged from his strong third-place finish in the Plate in fine order, said trainer Mike DePaulo. “We had a good day and Stanley ran well. Cool Kiss had a bit of rough trip.”
DePaulo said both horses would be nominated to the Prince of Wales. Cool Kiss was the only Plate starter who has had dirt experience, a second-place finish at Gulfstream Park.
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KAUKOKAIPUU emerged from the Plate fine, said trainer Ted Holder, albeit with a bit of a foot bruise. The grey colt never got involved near the pace of the race and wound up 15th. Holder said he will point the colt to the Prince of Wales.
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